Coat Change or Dog Skin Disease

Problem: Coat Change or Dog Skin Disease?

Discolored Fur

Hi,

My ten-month-old female Weimaraner has an odd looking area on her back. The fur has become discolored, darker and dirty looking. At first we thought she had gotten into some kind of mud or tar-like substance, so we bathed her and scrubbed her down well but no change.

Her normal color has always been champagne and the discoloration runs from her neck to her tail. It extends about two inches down her sides and is spotty on the edges. She is otherwise healthy and playful, and has had all her shots.

Perhaps this is a "darkening" that she is going through as she matures, but I could not find any articles which stated color changes the way this one has progressed. Just wondered if you might have any thoughts.

Thank you~~ Ted C.

Expert Reply

Hi Ted,

Let me make sure I understand you correctly. Is it just the fur itself that has darkened, or is the tar-like substance you mention on the skin itself?

If the skin itself is turning dark with a tar-like looking surface, then you have a definite problem that your vet needs to see immediately. Does your dog seem to scratch a lot, and is her fur thinning in this area? If so, all the more reason to see the vet right away.

If we're only talking about the fur itself, then it's my understanding that the champagne color does not change as the dog matures. Your puppy could be going through the transition from puppy coat to adult coat. If so, then you might notice a sleeker texture to the coat along the spine that would make it appear a little different to the slightly plusher puppy fur. This may cause a small visual change, but it should not result in the coat now looking dirty.

The blue coat color does darken with age and ends up looking near black in later years. If your dog is a true champagne, then this should happen.

Now that I've given you this information, please understand that it's difficult to speculate about something I can't see. It would be better for you to talk to someone local who can actually look at your dog. If only the fur is involved, then I recommend you begin with the breeder or rescue shelter you got your dog from, and see what they think about the current changes in your dog's coat. If it's the skin, head directly to your vet who will likely want to take a skin scraping to check for a mite infestation.

Thank you for your question, and please let me know what you find out.

~~ Kelly

Dog Sheds Like Crazy

Hi,

I have a Boston Terrier, and she sheds like crazy. It is unbelievable how much she sheds, and she scratches all the time. We think she has food allergies, but we have tried several kinds of food and nothing seems to help. We put Salmon oil in her food and brush her daily.

Please help~~ Ann

Expert Reply

Hi Ann,

Boons are known as shedders, but the itching does indicate that your dog has some kind of problem going on.

You mentioned you suspect she has food allergies. Has your vet ever tested her for this? Switching foods can be helpful in some cases, but you really need to learn the exact food sources your dog might be allergic to so you know what to avoid.

Food allergy testing is usually carried out with an elimination trial. All of your pet's current foods are removed from the diet, and your dog will begin feeding on a single protein source, such as plain chicken. After a few weeks, the toxins will have cleared from your dog's system. If the chicken doesn't cause an allergic reaction, your dog will be reintroduced to additional food sources one at a time. If something causes an allergic reaction, you'll know it's an allergen and you can eliminate it from her diet.

That's a short explanation of the process, but your vet will guide you every step of the way. I hope you find this advice helpful.

~~ Kelly